Posted on 11/18/2013 9:45:36 AM PST by SarahMill
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with phosphate as it is an essential nutrient. The compound plays a role in key biochemical processes such as metabolism, creating genetic material, strengthening teeth and bones, and regulating the acid-base balance in the body. It’s definitely important to have some phosphate in your diet. But the trick is not to get too much of the mineral. When you eat a lot of foods that contain phosphate additives, you could run into trouble. This is especially true if you have kidney problems.
As a matter of course, kidney disease patients are usually told to avoid phosphates in food. This is because phosphates in food are hard for struggling kidneys to deal with—they can’t remove them. When high levels of phosphates collect in the blood, the results can be serious. The development of heart disease and bone disease are two dangers. Very high levels of phosphorus can even be life-threatening. Because of this, phosphates in food such as processed meats or baked goods can be a very real issue for those with kidney problems.
It can be tricky to monitor your intake of phosphorus. While you can try to avoid eating certain meats, whole grains, nuts or other foods naturally high in the mineral, it can be a real challenge to try and track down how much you are consuming in the form of additives. While it is now common practice for food manufacturers to label the amount of fat, calories or sodium on a product because they are required to do so, there is no such requirement for phosphorus. The amount of phosphorus in foods remains a hidden commodity. There could be sodium phosphate in your drink and pyrophosphate in your cheese. Even chicken, for example, this is a food that has been deemed “safe” for dialysis patients to eat, may contain phosphates if the chicken is from a fast food restaurant.
How much phosphate are we talking about here? A research team recently discovered that kidney disease patients could significantly lower their phosphorus levels once they knew how to stay away from foods containing phosphorus additives. Over 250 advanced kidney disease patients receiving dialysis treatment were placed into a control group or a phosphorus additive-avoidance group. After three months, those who were taught to avoid foods with phosphates experienced a drop in the mineral that was two and half times that of the control group.
The researchers made these conclusions: there’s already an abundance of phosphorus that occurs naturally in food. Adding phosphorus additives may be pushing the body past its ability to deal with the mineral.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking sodium phosphate.
Sources:
“Sodium Phosphate,” MedlinePlus web site; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a609019.html, last accessed Nov. 5, 2013.
“Sodium Phosphate,” Med-Health.net web site; http://www.med-health.net/Sodium-Phosphate.html, last accessed Nov. 5, 2013.
“Hidden Phosphorus Food Additives Dangerous to Kidney Disease Patients,” Science Daily web site, Feb. 20, 2009; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210161912.htm, last accessed Nov. 6, 2013.
If you don’t eat a lot of processed foods, these kinds of concerns are greatly diminished.
That does it. I am never going to eat again. Nothing is good for you.
Perhaps true, but given the inability of our press to understand even the most simple science, methinks I smell a bit of “the sky is falling” syndrome here.
We’ll see.
Welcome to FR.
I’ll eliminate phosphates, gluten, lactose, nuts, fats, and too many carbohydrates.
Who knew the people of North Korea were so far ahead of us in nutrition?
Plus, it’s a good bet that the sodium phosphate comes from China, if not the whole damned food product.
Keep in mind, the recommendation is for people in renal failure.
People that have chronic debilitating conditions or diseases usually face hurdles of this nature.
The question begins to become, since there are innumerable varieties of illness that have their own set of caveats for the patient, do we regulate the entire society into compliance with the dietary needs of these people?
I don’t believe we should, but that is the goal of the nanny state. And it is doing a successful job so far of getting us there.
You will die without phosphates. Phosphates are an essential nutrient. Vitamin D + Calcium + Phosphates = Bone; but also, Vitamin D + Calcium + Phosphates = most of the hormones and system control chemicals in you blood stream.
Like everything, the key word is moderation.
Heck, I am starting to get that way in reality. Each day we are told that something else is bad, tainted or deadly.
Heck, I am starting to get that way in reality. Each day we are told that something else is bad, tainted or deadly.
I understand your frustration with all the "studies" and such are released to the public. I also understand you're joking. However, here's what you need to know. If you shop around the outside of the grocery store, you'll probably avoid 99% of what ails the American public. If your food remembers where it came from, it's probably good to eat.
My most harmful food additive is “too much”.
Yeah, but I am also afraid of tainted bacteria fresh veggies and listeria meat.
I’ve decided to swear off food altogether. It’s just bad for you. So far I’m on my third hour and I’m not feeling any ill effects. We’ll see how it goes.
Thanks for posting Sarah, and welcome to FR! :-)
That does it. I am never going to eat again. Nothing is good for you.
And ready whip.
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